Page 1 of 9 April 2006 CHURCHES’ REFUGEE NETWORK An informal network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland No. 7 (04/06) CHURCHES’ REFUGEE NETWORK THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE A PLACE OF DANGER, PLACE OF SAFETY This conference will reflect on and affirm the prophetic mission of the churches’ commitment to be on the side of all those who are forced to leave their homelands for political, economic and environmental reasons. Keynote speakers for the day will include Anne Owers (HM Chief Inspector of Prisons), Jane Aspden (UNHCR) and Canon Nicholas Sagovsky (Canon Theologian, Westminster Abbey). As in the past the conference programme will offer opportunities to network, exchange views on advocacy, service and good practice in support of refugees and asylum seekers. There will also be workshops to explore policy issues in depth and an opportunity to pray together. Saturday 20 th May (11am – 4.45pm) Holy Apostles Church Hall 47 Cumberland Street, London SW1V 4LY For registration and other details contact: Wendy Cooper Tel: 0207916 8632 or email: [email protected] NATIONAL NEWS New Asylum Act receives Royal Assent The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 passed on 30 th March 2006 is aimed at implementing many of the measures outlined in the Government’s five-year plan on a new asylum and immigration system. The provisions of the Act do not come into force immediately but will be brought in by commencement orders. No information on timescales is yet available. No further amendments were made after the Lords’ Third Reading and no updated Bill was published. Copies of the Act are available at www.opsi.gov.uk Inter alia the Act contains late amendments introduced in the Lords’ including Clause 43 which deals with support for refused asylum seekers who are unable to return home because of safety risks or a personal medical condition (e.g. pregnancy) also known as Section 4 support. Clause 43 provides for tighter border controls, fast- track asylum procedures, measures to control and detain asylum seekers, counter terrorism measures that could exclude asylum seekers, and that those on Section 4 support not be provided for in cash but in vouchers (see report below). Although not in the Act, the government seems keen on replacing ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ to those granted refugee status with a temporary protection for five years after which the status would be reviewed with a view to removal if conditions in the country of origin prove conducive for return. More information is available from the Refugee Council at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Related Documents
